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Extra-curricular activities

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May Music Thread

784 replies

Wafflenose · 01/05/2017 15:59

Hello, and welcome to the May thread. It's a public holiday in the UK, but my school is open and I had to work today, which is why I've only just got round to it! This is a place for parents of musicians of ALL levels, and adult learners, to chat about lessons, practice, scales, concerts, exams, and whatever else they'd like to! We have lots of regulars, some occasional posters, and sometimes people who just pop in to ask a question. It's a friendly place.

I have two daughters. Goo is 11 and in her last term at primary school. She's working towards her Grade 8 Flute (some time next year) and playing from the Grade 4 Piano book (currently refusing to take any exams, and putting off the first proper performance!). Rara is 8, may or may not be doing Grade 3 Cello this term, and is approaching Grade 2 Clarinet.

Both of them played the recorder for years, starting as preschoolers. They reached Grades 7 and 3 respectively, but sadly neither has really played since the music festival a few months ago. They are obsessed with their Flute and Clarinet, and really enjoy Piano and Cello. There won't be many opportunities to play the recorder at the secondary school they will attend, so much as I love it, it's probably a good time to quietly drop it. Recorder has given them both lots of opportunities, confidence, reading skills... and festival prizes!

Goo does NCO and South West Music School. Rara isn't that level at all when it comes to music, but is gifted with her hands. Instead of practising the cello and doing her school spellings today, she completed a lovely sewing kit without bothering to look at the instructions, and also made a lovely crafty construction from card and coloured paper. Both girls are keen on drawing and playing computer games. Rara swims and Goo plays sodding netball and dodgeball, which have both been responsible for multiple injuries over the past few months!

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Paulweller11 · 25/05/2017 21:05

Just out of curiosity what's YYM- and congrats x

Paulweller11 · 25/05/2017 21:04

It's on a sliding scale to what you earn -as from as I'm aware- so as long as you are a Uk resident then your eligible for funding- how much will depend on your income.
Anyone else, with a more concrete answer? X

Fleurdelise · 25/05/2017 21:00

Congrats on the new flute Waffle!

Minimusiciansmama · 25/05/2017 20:47

Can I ask you ladies about MDS funding please?? .... I'm completely new to this bit of it all. when a child is eligible, and has a place, is it still not a given that they'll get the funding?
We've had the official offer of her YYM place but it's definitely not something I can do without the grant. I kind of just want to steel myself in case I've a battle on my hands.

raspberryrippleicecream · 25/05/2017 18:41

Also meant to say NYO inspire sign ups have opened for July (Birmingham) and September (Leeds) Days

Great days, free. For 13 - 18 year olds, minimum Grade 6 standard.

raspberryrippleicecream · 25/05/2017 18:38

Flowers to Chets' kids and parents too. Just been asking after the older sister of one of our Choristers, who is also there.

School music finished 2 weeks ago for us, so there is a couple of evenings I don't have to do pick ups.

DS2 has decided to aim for Grade 6 theory next term.

LooseAtTheSeams · 25/05/2017 17:18

FlowersFlowers to all the Chets kids.
Waffle congratulations on the new flute!
Went to the year 10 recital at DS1's school - we were all melting slightly in the heat but some great performances and DS1's bass solo went very well so that's a good sign for his exam in July.

Wafflenose · 25/05/2017 16:02

*practise!! I'm usually quite good at this stuff.

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Wafflenose · 25/05/2017 15:52

I thought of all our Chets kids on here too. I hope they are all doing as well as can be expected. Flowers

Goo has a new flute. She is delighted, and has gone off to practice without being asked.

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stringchild · 25/05/2017 11:11

lots of hugs to miniGilly and miniPaul; we have close friends at Chets and i know how they have been affected x

hertsandessex · 25/05/2017 11:02

Best wishes to Chet's parents and children. I hadn't realised it was so close to the arena. Must be a tough time. I love the Oasis video full of emotion.

drummersmum · 25/05/2017 10:36

gilly and paul weller I've been thinking of you and your DC.
kutik DS was sent the parts for the orchestral residence in advance and they were supposed to learn them well at home.

Paulweller11 · 25/05/2017 09:15

They didn't have much choice unfortunately- it's in the police cordon zone.

Doubleup · 25/05/2017 08:47

Gilly, it's shocking enough for most people your dd's age, but things happening close by must amplify it. There is a lot of information around, including on the BBC website on how to discuss it with kids to reassure them. Shame in some ways that the school has closed early as that what schools are good at. Big hugs to her and you as you try to rationalise things. Flowers

Paulweller11 · 25/05/2017 08:07

Hey Gilly- I've emailed you x

Kutik- no practice here for any orchestras ever, all sight reading, even NCO regionals Smile

AlexandraLeaving · 25/05/2017 08:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Greenleave · 25/05/2017 07:54

Flowers to you and your daughter Gilly. I must say that I have trust and confidence in our police force and intelligence. They are least corrupted among all countries that I know and act fast, effectively.(try to come to term that why Stockhom and Berlin terrorists are still there, free)

Thanks so much Kutik, its a great recomnendation too

Minimusiciansmama · 25/05/2017 07:47

gilly thoughts to your wee girl and all her friends trying to deal with this xxxx

Pradaqueen · 25/05/2017 04:49

Gilly - Flowers for you and your DD. Awful, awful attack on essentially kids. I do hope she recovers in time. There are some truly sick people out there. Hugs to you all.

Kutik73 · 25/05/2017 04:01

Green, I just realised you were asking specifically Mozart/Choplin pieces. I misunderstood you were looking for some pieces for your DD in general. Sorry. The book I mentioned has five Chopin pieces and two Mozart pieces but has others such as Bach, Scarlatti, Schubert, Kabalevsky and so on.... So it may not be what you are looking for.

Kutik73 · 25/05/2017 03:53

Thanks for the comments on home practice for orchestral pieces. It sounds like what DS tells me is right so I'll leave it with him whether he needs practice or not.

What's a terrifying experience for minigilly and her friends. Big hugs to her. Hope she will be alright.

Green, DS enjoyed Piano Literature by James Bastien (Vol 4). It's for the early advanced grades, so not super challenging for G7 standard pianists, but some lovely pieces to have fun (well, DS liked them anyway). It covers Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary.

gillybeanz · 24/05/2017 23:14

Thank you Fleur.
I know what you mean about your ds, it's a narrow line between living your life in fear and putting yourself at risk.
It's hard to know what to do and say.
You also feel guilty for feeling bad when there are so many families worse off who are experiencing real horror. Thanks

Fleurdelise · 24/05/2017 22:47

gilly I hope your dd will feel better soon about everything. It must be so difficult to explain why would somebody want to harm kids and I am sure we all tried our best to come to terms with it and explain our kids what happened.

I still feel shocked and numb seeing the age of the victims, I cried hearing about the 8 yo and Olivia, the 15 yo who's mum was desperate to find her only to find out she was one of the victims... all those kids and the surviving ones with life changing injuries just because they went out to see a concert and have some fun.

I am terrified as DS is going to Reading festival this summer to celebrate GCSEs results (hopefully to celebrate them) and I am torn between cancelling the ticket and allowing him to live his life without fear...

Not much clarinet practice in our household which will be a shock to dd's piano teacher as she's practising with her on Sunday (the accompaniment). She'll tell her off I'm sure and I am a bit annoyed with dd as it will reflect bad on her clarinet teacher and they know each other.

gillybeanz · 24/05/2017 22:39

Sorry, mine was ok, she was out for the day thank God, she had an appointment.
She left that evening, but had friends unable to call on their phones and no internet because of all the activity.
So one got through to her and asked her to text what was going on, they were scared stiff, we were still texting at 1.00am.
They were well looked after though and came home yesterday.
The arrest literally round the corner from us today has really freaked her out and as hard as I try I can't bring her round.
Sorry for posting here, but I feel like I know you all personally. I'm running out of things to say and she is just dazed and under her duvet.She says she's scared to go out.

LooseAtTheSeams · 24/05/2017 22:35

That's a lovely story Gilly thanks so much for sharing the link and sending hugs to your DD.